Staff at the Johannesburg Zoo was excited about the birth of the Serval Cat. This is one of the three species referred to as small to medium-sized cats. The baby, born blind, took two weeks to open its eyes. The Zoo currently has three Serval, father and mother including. The kitten was born on the 17 November 2007.

The species is nocturnal and is hard to observe even at daytime because the color pattern of the Serval Cat is hard to distinguish in the long grass. This is one of the reasons why much of the species' life style remains a mystery.

Serval Cats can be easily confused with Cheetah cats, yet there are some traits that help to distinguish between the two species. The Serval Cat's body is much longer than its tail. Generally, the species is much larger than the domestic cat. Long legs, a long neck, and small head characterize the Serval Cat.

This species has very large erect ears that of the most prominent traits. The coat is yellowish to tan, with black spots and stripes. It is interesting to know that there are no identical Serval Cats. They are uniquely identified by their markings. The long tail has black rings on it. The body’s' under parts in the Serval Cat are usually light in color ranging from white to tan.
The Serval Cat has a very keen sight and acute hearing. Their spotted coat serves as a camouflage and makes the species hard to notice. The Serval Cat does not have any difficulty in grasping and holding the catch, as it is equipped with the long paws. Also, Serval Cats have muscular limbs that allow efficient jumping during the hunt.

Weather permitting; the mother will be with her new baby for the public to see -- depending on when the mother and child want to venture out into the open. The baby is located at the Small Cat’s Section at the Johannesburg Zoo and is on display for the public.

 

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